Part 1: Components of Your Lens

Week 2: Tradition

reasondeliberative

experiencerelationships

traditionslearned or passed down

scriptureprescriptive

tradition

traditionthe handing down of statements, beliefs, legends, customs, information, etc., from generation to generation, especially by word of mouth or by practice: a story that has come down to us by popular tradition. something that is handed down: the traditions of the Eskimos. a long-established or inherited way of thinking or acting: The rebellious students wanted to break with tradition. a continuing pattern of culture beliefs or practices. a customary or characteristic method or manner: The winner took a victory lap in the usual track tradition. – dictionary.com

education

the act or process of imparting or acquiring general knowledge, developing the powers of reasoning and judgment, and generally of preparing oneself or others intellectually for mature life. - dictionary.com

media

the means of communication, as radio and television, newspapers, and magazines, that reach or influence people widely – dictionary.com

generational

from generation to generation, especially by word of mouth or by practice: a story that has come down to us by popular tradition

generational

from generation to generation, especially by word of mouth or by practice: a story that has come down to us by popular tradition

sop

1) Company policies2) Accounting policies: e.g. GAAP3) Medical4) Law5) Engineering6) BBB

dogmaAn official system of principles or tenets concerning faith, morals, behavior, etc., as of a church. Synonyms: doctrine, teachings, set of beliefs, philosophy. A specific tenet or doctrine authoritatively laid down, as by a church: the dogma of the Assumption; the recently defined dogma of papal infallibility. Synonyms: tenet, canon, law. Prescribed doctrine proclaimed as unquestionably true by a particular group: the difficulty of resisting political dogma. A settled or established opinion, belief, or principle: the classic dogma of objectivity in scientific observation. Synonyms: conviction, certainty.

more on dogma

At the turn of the 17th century, dogma entered English from the Latin term meaning “philosophical tenet.” The Greek word from which it is borrowed means “that which one thinks is true,” and comes ultimately from the Greek dokein which means “to seem good” or “think.” The origin of the word dogma acts as a reminder to English speakers that now-established principals and doctrines were once simply thoughts and opinions of ordinary people that gained popularity and eventually found their way into the universal consciousness of society. 20th century American academic and aphorist Mason Cooley concisely observed that “Under attack, sentiments harden into dogma,” suggesting that dogma is spawned as a defensive act. This idea implies that for every dogma that exists, there is a counter dogma. With so many “truths” out there, there is sure to be a dogma to conveniently fit every set of beliefs.

steve jobs

“Don't be trapped by dogma—which is living with the results of other people's thinking. Don't let the noise of others' opinions drown out your own inner voice.” —Steve Jobs, “Commencement Address at Stanford University,” American Rhetoric (delivered June 12, 2005)

examples

1. Catholic Dogma – Pope infallibility, penance, transubstantiation, mother of Jesus

2. Apostles Creed3. Doxology4. Evangelical and Protestant – Trinity, God and Jesus, Created world,

end times, inerrancy and literal reading of the Bible5. Hindu, Buddhist, Islam and Christianity – End times? 6. Baptism and Customs?7. God is Love, God is Good, God is Omniscient, God is infinite, God is

Perfect etc. 8. TULIP: Total Depravity, Unconditional Election, Limited Atonement,

Irresistible Grace, Perseverance of the Saints9. Rick Santorum10. Others?

bible

Key Words used:1) Testimony2) Customs3) Patterns4) Tradition5) Teachings6) Life of Jesus

ot example

Rth 4:7-8 NASB - Now this was the custom in former times in Israel concerning the redemption and the exchange of land to confirm any matter: a man removed his sandal and gave it to another; and this was the manner of attestation in Israel. So the closest relative said to Boaz, "Buy it for yourself." And he removed his sandal.

nt example

Tts 1:9-14 NASB - holding fast the faithful word which is in accordance with the teaching, so that he will be able both to exhort in sound doctrine and to refute those who contradict. For there are many rebellious men, empty talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision, who must be silenced because they are upsetting whole families, teaching things they should not teach for the sake of sordid gain. One of themselves, a prophet of their own, said, "Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons.“ This testimony is true. For this reason reprove them severely so that they may be sound in the faith, not paying attention to Jewish myths and commandments of men who turn away from the truth.

reflection

applying tradition

Examples? Purchasing, having children, family emphasis etc.

benefits?

challenges?

tradition: from meaningful to meaningless

‘we’ve been always doing it this way..’

our worldview

why does tradition become meaningless?

education?

sources?

sop?

ultimate authority?

media

legitimacy?

generational

habits?

dogma

essentials vs. necessities?

bible

application?

Reason

life experience

traditions

scripture